Ask Us: Lacrosse similar to soccer

Q: A friend of mine said his son was on the lacrosse team at college. Exactly what is lacrosse?

A: Lacrosse, which seems to be gaining popularity in this country, was originated by Native Americans, but the modern game was developed in Canada and first played in the U.S. in the 1870s.

Similar to soccer, it is played by two teams who try to make goals by receiving, passing and carrying a hard rubber ball in the pocket-like indention of a "stick" or crosse until it can be hurled or kicked into the opponent's goal. Only the goal keeper can touch the ball with his hands.

Q: Can wearing or taking gold really relieve arthritis pain?

A: In a recent study, some patients wearing gold bands reported significantly less pain in their ring fingers and in the joints of their index and little fingers next to the ring than in the same fingers of their other hands.

Q: How much does the government pay ex-presidents?

A: Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush each get a pension of $148,000 per year, but that's the least of the costs. The federal government also pays for each president's staff, travel, office rental, telephone, postage and printing, supplies and materials, office furnishing, and incidentals.

According to the General Services Administration, Mr. Reagan received $726,000 in 1997, the highest amount, and Mr. Carter received $441,000, the lowest amount.

Q: Who wrote Me and Bobby McGhee?

A: Kris Kristofferson -- but you probably remember Janis Joplin singing it. Mr. Kristofferson and rock's first female superstar bad girl were lovers for a while. Me and Bobby McGhee was one of her trademark songs, the other two were Piece of My Heart and Ball and Chain.

Q:Who was Becky Cotton of Edgefield, S.C.?

A: In 1806, Becky Cotton was tried for the murder of her third husband with an ax. When authorities dredged the pond near their house to find him, they also discovered the bodies of her two previous husbands. One had died from poison, and the other had a large needle stuck straight through his heart.She was found innocent and later married a jury member. But, it wasn't happy ever after, because her brother later murdered her.

Q: What is a voodoo queen?

A: Voodoo is a religion derived from African polytheism and ancestor worship, and is practiced mainly in Haiti. In America, voodoo queens were free women of color who watched over all voodoo rituals. There are 50 million voodoo followers worldwide, but New Orleans is still the voodoo capital of the world. The crescent city was once ruled by Marie Laveau and her daughter (believers say she's immortal and still lives there). Some New Orleans voodoo women specialized in ministering to and against prostitutes. Closer to home there is Minerva of Beaufort County, S.C., (who was immortalized in John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil)

Q: What is the Resource Center on Aging's SMART Club?

A: For people age 50 and older, the RCOA offers the SMART Club, which includes discounts at many businesses. There are three levels for SMART Club members. For no cost, a person can receive the RCOA's newsletter. Those who pay $5 receive access to all RCOA events and discounts. The SMART Club Plus membership is $10 per person or $15 per couple and includes everything listed above plus a discount on pharmacy products. For more information on the SMART Club, call the Resource Center on Aging at Daniel Village at 733-7262.

Q: I have a baseball autographed by Gaylord Perry. What were his pitching statistics and team affiliations in the major leagues?

A: Gaylord Perry pitched in Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1983. He played for the Giants, Indians, Rangers, Padres, Yankees, Braves, Mariners and Royals. His career win-loss record was 314-265, and his earned run average was 3.10. He pitched 5,351 innings.

Q: What is deodorant made out of?

A: Deodorants contain chemicals that stop the growth of bacteria and many contain perfumes that mask odors. Common ingredients in deodorants are zinc or magnesium salts, benzethonium chloride and triclosan. Aluminum, zirconium or aluminum-zirconium compounds are used in antiperspirants to reduce perspiration.

Ever wonder why? Or how much? Or from where? The Augusta Chronicle invites you to Ask Us. Call INFOLINE at 442-4444. Punch in 4444, and you'll have 30 seconds to record a question. Including your name and phone number will help, in the event we don't fully understand the question or cannot publish an answer for other reasons. We'll print answers to as many questions as we can, as quickly as possible.